About CEI

The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) is a public policy organization dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty. We champion markets as the premier instrument of voluntary exchange, and we work to protect them by developing innovative strategies to reform the regulatory process, repeal burdensome regulations, and roll back programs that stifle consumer choice, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.

We are on a mission to reform America’s unaccountable regulatory state. Our vision is a society thriving without unnecessary government burdens, where property rights are secure, and Americans are free to prosper.

Role Overview

CEI seeks an Associate Counsel with strong litigation experience, some knowledge of the U.S.’s regulatory frameworks, and legislative/government affairs. Additionally, knowledge of law and economics theory is helpful.

The Associate Counsel will work closely with the General Counsel and Senior Counsel to connect litigation strategy with policy impact and ensure CEI remains effective in both the courts and the policy arena. This role will support CEI’s litigation and policy initiatives by analyzing regulatory schemes, drafting legal and economic policy briefs, at times interacting with congressional staff, and assisting with oversight and inquiry responses.

The Associate Counsel will be based in CEI’s Washington, DC office and report to the General Counsel, Litigation & Regulatory Affairs. This role will require minimal travel (10%).

Key Responsibilities

  • Litigation: Support CEI’s litigation efforts, drafting legal actions, briefs and memos. Provide legal research and support on constitutional, APA, and statutory challenges; assist in building administrative records and amicus briefs.
  • Regulatory & Policy Analysis: Research and analyze federal regulatory schemes (antitrust, financial regulation, environmental, technology, etc.), with emphasis on economic impacts and statutory authority.
  • Congressional & Government Affairs: Monitor congressional oversight, draft testimony/prepared statements, respond to inquiries, and coordinate CEI’s engagement with relevant committees and executive agencies.
  • Public Policy Engagement: Translate complex legal and economic analysis into accessible policy briefs, blog posts, and talking points for media, donors, and coalition partners.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with CEI’s policy centers, communications team, and external coalitions to align litigation, regulatory comments, and policy outreach.
  • Internal Governance: Assist with compliance reviews, privilege/work-product management, and coordination of legal input for CEI publications and events.

Qualifications

  • J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school; admission to at least one state bar.
  • 2–6 years of experience in regulatory practice, government affairs, litigation, or related policy roles.
  • Strong background in law and economics; ability to integrate economic reasoning into legal analysis.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with congressional oversight, investigations, and legislative processes.
  • Excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills, including ability to brief non-lawyer audiences.
  • Commitment to CEI’s mission of advancing liberty, limited government, and free enterprise.

Preferred Attributes

  • Experience with non-profits, the Hill, or agency general counsel/policy office.
  • Familiarity with APA litigation, nondelegation, major-questions doctrine, and separation-of-powers issues.
  • Ability to draft clear, concise regulatory comments and policy memos.
  • Comfort representing CEI in coalition meetings, conferences, or media settings.

Salary Information

The projected salary range for this role is $115,000 – $140,000 per year. Compensation is based on the multiple factors, including experience and skills.

Application Instructions

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
    • An introductory paragraph describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to CEI’s mission and how you came to those viewpoints.
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link:

https://talentmarket.org/candidates/apply-for-your-dream-job/       

Questions can be directed to Claire Kittle Dixon, President of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.